SSE adjusted operating profit from renewables rose about 25% in the last financial year, boosted by full output from the 588MW Beatrice offshore wind farm off Scotland.
Total generation from the company’s clean power assets is expected to be 11.4 terrawatt-hours, including over 0.6TWh of constrained-off generation, the company said in a pre-end of year financial update.
SSE is postponing the release of its full results for the current financial year – which ends of 31 March – until the second half of June, over auditing issues caused by the coronavirus.
SSE said it has put in place a wide range of practical steps in line with government guidance on tackling the spread of COVID-19, which are having practical impacts on the audit process, such as travel and access to key offices.
“SSE has therefore agreed with its auditors, EY, that these practical steps they are both taking in relation to COVID-19 mean it will take longer to prepare and audit SSE’s financial statements for 2019/20,” it said.
The company now aims to publish these in the second half of June, with a planned date to be confirmed as soon as possible.
SSE said the economic impact of the coronavirus in the UK and Ireland has not so far had any material impact on its financial results for 2019/20.
However, the company is continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the wider economy and SSE.
SSE finance director Gregor Alexander said: “In common with everyone else, our over-riding priority is supporting efforts to contain and delay the spread of COVID-19 – helping communities, customers and colleagues through this exceptionally difficult time.
“Across SSE, people are responding with commitment, professionalism and sheer hard work that the Board is proud to be associated with.
“Our long-term focus continues to be on supporting the transition to a net zero economy and this is reflected in the substantive progress made in recent months by our core, low-carbon networks and renewables businesses.
“That focus on decarbonisation will continue, and we will continue to work closely with our key stakeholder groups, including suppliers, contractors and partners.
“COVID-19 is having an exceptional human, social and economic impact and dealing with that must be our over-riding priority.”
Meanwhile, SSE has made £1m available for UK communities responding to challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The utility has brought forward up to 10% of its annual community funds to be available to communities in direct response to the challenges posed by coronavirus.
It has also joined forces with a host of businesses in signing the C-19 Business Pledge to support the UK through the coronavirus pandemic and the recovery efforts.
The C-19 pledge, established by Justine Greening and businessman David Harrison, aims to unite the business community behind three key aims: supporting their own employees, publishing clear and simple advice for customers and doing what they can to help communities through the epidemic.
SSE added that reflecting government guidance, measures are in place to protect key personnel on SSE sites where work must continue to support the supply of electricity, while non-critical work has been suspended to enable as many employees as possible to remain in their homes.
SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said: “All businesses have a responsibility to customers, employees and communities and we’re no different.
“We’re pleased to be able to join forces with other like-minded businesses in signing the C-19 pledge and continuing to play our part in the national fight against the virus.
“Today we’ve set out the steps we’ve taken so far, underpinned by our brilliant workforce who are responding to this unprecedented situation with commitment, professionalism and sheer hard work, to deliver reliable electricity to the country.
“We’ll continue to look at more ways we can play our part in the weeks and months ahead.”